What you Need to Know before Visiting Hida
The Hida region of Japan, where SATOYAMA EXPERIENCE is located, is blessed with
abundant nature, rich historical culture and tradition, and many important architectural
structures. To preserve and pass on this natural, human and built heritage to future
generations, we would like to work with both visitors to Hida and local residents to protect it.
Therefore, our tour guides will place emphasis on wildlife, cultural assets and the livelihoodof the local people, as outlined below.
A little consideration on the part of each visitor to Hida can make a big difference. We
would appreciate your cooperation.

Protection of Wildlife
The Hida region is located in the northern part of Gifu prefecture in the central part ofHonshu, Japan’s main island. Around 80% of Gifu prefecture’s area is covered by forest (thesecond most in Japan), with the proportion rising to 94% in Hida City. The Hida region iscomprised mainly of deciduous broad-leaved forest, while Mt. Haku and the Northern Alps
belong to the subalpine and alpine zones. Because of this unique environment, the area ishome to a wide array of plants and animals. In particular, large animal species such as Japaneseserows, black bears, Japanese deer, and wild boars are widespread; lucky visitors may even see
a serow during their cycling tour.
The sheer variety of flora and fauna in the area means there are also many endangered
species. It is unlikely that you will see such species (listed below) in the satoyama area of Hida,
our tour locations, or in towns. However, if you do come across them, please do not interferewith or damage them in any way, for example by harming animals or picking flowers. The
following list presents those species categorized by Gifu prefecture as "Designated Rare
Wildlife (16 species)":Classification

Species

FamilyAmphibians

HynobiushidamontanusMatsui

Salamander

Pseudorasborapumilasubsp

Carp(1 species)
Fish(2species)
GasterosteusaculeatusleiurusCuvier
Plantspecies)(13

AdonismultifloraNishikawaetKo.Ito

Pseudobagrus
Buttercup(Ranunculus
japonicus)

AdonisramossaFr.

Buttercup(Ranunculus
japonicus)

Pulsatillacernua(Thunb.)Spreng.

Buttercup(Ranunculus
japonicus)

Shibateranthispinnatifida(Maxim.)SatakeetOkuyamaButtercup(Ranunculus
japonicus)

PrimulasieboldiiE.Morr.

Siebold's primrose(Primula siebold)

PedicularisresupinataL.var.microphyllaHonda

Jerseycudweed(speciesofcottonweed,Gnaphaliumaffine)
ChionographisjaponicaMaxim.var.minoensisHara

Lily(Lilium spp.)

Fritillaria japonica Miq.

Lily(Lilium spp.)

Petrosavia sakuraii (Makino) J.J.Sm.ex Steenis

Lily(Lilium spp.)

CalanthetricarinataLindl.

OrchidCypripediumjaponicumThunb.

OrchidDendrobiummoniliforme(L.)Sw.

OrchidOrchisgraminifolia(Reichb.fil.)TangetWang

OrchidGifu Prefecture, "Outline of Gifu Prefecture's Ordinance for the Protection of Rare Wildlife”.
https://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/page/8322.html
For more information on other endangered species, please refer to the following links to thewebsite of Gifu Prefecture:Gifu Prefecture, "Gifu Prefecture's Endangered Wildlife (Animal Edition) Revised Edition Gifu Prefecture Red Data Book (Animal Edition) Revised Edition".
https://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/page/4261.html
Gifu Prefecture, "Gifu Prefecture's Endangered Wildlife (Plants) Revised Edition - Gifu
Prefecture Red Data Book (Plants) Revised Edition".
https://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/page/11109.html

Protection of Cultural Properties
Many tourists visit the Hida region in search of nature and the beauty of the townscapes,
culture and traditions that remain here, formed over the centuries through the efforts of thelocal people. In particular, Shirakawa-go has been designated as a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO. The old streets of Takayama City have been selected as an Important Preservation
District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in Japan. Hida Furukawa is not formallydesignated as a preservation area, but the striking and beautiful rows of houses with whitewalls and earthen storehouses along the Seto Canal are unique in Japan. During the Takayama
Festivals, held in both spring and autumn, and the Furukawa Festival in spring, visitors canexperience the region's traditional culture by viewing yatai (festival floats), created by a
combination of the skills of local artisans, known as Hida-no-takumi. These yatai events havebeen recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
There are numerous other designated cultural properties in Gifu prefecture, including
traditional residences like the Kusakabe and Yoshijima Houses, religious treasures such as themain building at Atayuta Shrine and the sutra repository at Ankokuji, as well as artworks andcrafts. For details of such cultural properties, please see the link below:
Gifu Prefecture, "Gifu Prefecture Catalogue of Cultural Properties”.
https://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/page/13288.html
As a tourist, there is a possibility that you may encounter some of these properties attemples, shrines and museums, but please be careful not to buy them as souvenirs, regardlessof whether they are real or fake.

Although not designated as cultural properties, there are many other traditional and local
crafts in the Hida region. These include Hida shunkei (lacquerware) and Ichii-itto-bori (yewwood carving), designated as traditional crafts by the Japanese government, as well as Hida

sashiko (embroidery), the pottery styles of Shibusa-yaki and Koito-yaki, and Enku carving.
Please take care that any items you may purchase are genuine, for example by patronising
official shops or asking our guides for advice. Please refer to the HIDA TAKAYAMA Tourist
Information page for an overview of traditional handicrafts and Gifu folk art:
HIDA TAKAYAMA Tourist Information, “Traditional Crafts”
https://www.hida.jp/english/localspeciality/shopping/4000194.html
We thank you as a visitor for making purchases that help to sustain, not damage, thenature and cultural assets unique to the Hida region. Please also make sure to comply with
the Washington Convention, Japan's laws regarding permissible exports, and any relevant
import laws in your home country:
CITES
https://cites.org/eng
Japan Customs, “Export/Import”
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/index.htm

Consideration for the Local Community
Our tours are based on the theme of "Travelling Through Life", with the aim of showing
you the lifestyle and knowledge that local people have developed and preserved in Hida
through long generations. Because we at SATOYAMA EXPERIENCE provide our guests with
community-based tour services, we consider our relationship with the local people to be ofparamount importance. To show respect for residents and their way of life, we ask that you
refrain from the following activities in the community:
Unauthorised entry into private places not open to the public (e.g. private houses,gardens, rice paddies, unopened areas of shrines and temples, etc).

Stealing or destroying/damaging crops from fields or items from private homes.

Taking pictures of residents without permission.



Illegal dumping of garbage.

Causing harm to plants and animals.
In addition, SATOYAMA EXPERIENCE promotes sustainable tourism. To help us with

our goal, we would appreciate your cooperation in fostering positive relationships within thecommunity:[Society]Please respect the lifestyle, culture and history of the local communities.

Please enjoy your interactions with local residents as a tourist; we are sure you will
leave having developed mutual respect and understanding.

[Environment]Whenever possible, please travel by public transportation, bicycle, or on foot, in orderto reduce CO2 emissions.

Please keep plastic waste to a minimum, especially the consumption of plastic bottles.
Water dispensers are available at our facilities. Please bring your own bottle.

Please follow the rules for the appropriate separation of garbage.
[Economy]Please patronise local restaurants. In particular, please support restaurants that serve
locally produced ingredients and traditional local dishes. Don’t hesitate to ask us forrecommendations.

When purchasing souvenirs, please choose items produced in the Hida area.

Please purchase environmentally friendly products, such as those without plastic
packaging or organic foodstuffs.
Sustainability means the preservation of the worthwhile, whether natural, cultural orsocietal. And so we ask for your cooperation in that task. With your help, we can continue tointroduce our beautiful area with its many charms to as many visitors as possible in the future.
We look forward to your visit to Hida.